no effort was made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no effort was made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there was a lack of action or attempt in a particular situation. Example: "Despite the urgency of the project, no effort was made to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"No effort was made to put any pressure on Hamas," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

You may say no effort was made to "match" you up.

Independent

No effort was made to save the Chinese buildings, which were completely destroyed.

The New York Times

No effort was made to help them think through their options or to provide proper assistance.

The Guardian

In Madrid, no effort was made to connect passengers to Latin America flights.

The Guardian - Money

The Times coverage at every turn shows that no effort was made to be fair.

The New York Times

Know as Gastarbeiter (guest workers), they were meant to be temporary, and no effort was made to integrate them.

The Economist

When we said as much to the young manager, who had asked how we liked them, no effort was made to offer a replacement.

The New York Times

No effort was made at first to subdivide the dam into separate zones with the best-suited material in each zone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But when the store, owned by Irwin Hersch, announced last month that it would be closing for good on May 31, no effort was made to save it.

The New York Times

It almost reads as if they feel it would be better if no effort was made because then the loss would be less severe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no effort was made" to clearly and directly state a lack of action or attempt in a particular situation. This phrase is effective when assigning responsibility or highlighting negligence.

Common error

While "no effort was made" is grammatically sound, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing with an active voice construction to create a stronger impact, such as "they made no effort".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no effort was made" functions as a statement of fact, indicating a lack of action or attempt. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct passive construction, frequently used to highlight negligence or inaction. The phrase often precedes an explanation of the consequences of this lack of effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "no effort was made" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a lack of action or attempt in a given situation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's a versatile phrase that appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Its primary function is to express criticism or highlight negligence, and while it can be used in various registers, it is most common in neutral or formal settings. To enhance writing, consider replacing the passive voice with active constructions to achieve a more assertive tone, when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no attempt was made

Replaces "effort" with "attempt", offering a direct synonym with minimal change in meaning.

no action was taken

Shifts the focus from effort to the taking of action, implying a similar lack of initiative.

nothing was done

A more general phrase indicating a complete lack of activity or intervention.

no measures were taken

Emphasizes the absence of specific actions or steps to address a situation.

no steps were taken

Similar to "no measures were taken", highlighting the failure to initiate progress.

no initiative was shown

Focuses on the absence of proactive behavior or drive.

no move was made

Indicates a lack of advancement or progress, often in a strategic context.

nothing happened

The most generic and widest alternative, but useful in various contexts when no efforts were put at all.

no consideration was given

Indicates a lack of thought or attention directed toward a specific matter.

the opportunity was missed

Highlights a failure to capitalize on a chance or occasion for action.

FAQs

How can I use "no effort was made" in a sentence?

You can use "no effort was made" to indicate a lack of action or attempt in a specific situation. For example, "No effort was made to improve the situation."

What can I say instead of "no effort was made"?

You can use alternatives like "no attempt was made", "no action was taken", or "nothing was done depending on the context.

Is "no effort was made" grammatically correct?

Yes, "no effort was made" is grammatically correct. It's a passive voice construction indicating a lack of attempt or action.

What's the difference between "no effort was made" and "no attempt was made"?

The phrases "no effort was made" and "no attempt was made" are very similar and often interchangeable. "Effort" might imply a sustained activity, while "attempt" suggests a single instance of trying, but the practical difference is minimal.